wo of the country's brightest stars are reunited in a grand screen presentation. Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla's chemistry is put to test anew in GMA FILMS' ‘Til I Met You. Is the magic still there?

Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla. The Songbird and one of the country's top action stars. They just ooze with unparalleled screen chemistry. The cameras love them. With their every move, viewers get tickled pink. They're so natural and the vibrancy their tandem radiates on screen is simply infectious. This they had proven in the blockbuster hit Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw shown a few years ago.

Now, the two bright luminaries are back in another grand project sure to appeal to the general public. Brought by GMA FILMS, ‘Til I Met You marks the screen reunion of Regine and Binoe under the helm of acclaimed director Mark Reyes. We visited the set of the film in Alfonso, Cavite , in the three-hectare ranch owned by Chito and Fides Aniban and witnessed the great camaraderie of its two leads.

For Regine, it was a pleasure working with Robin once again.

“It's been really great. We're having a lot of fun. Mas kilala naming ang isa't isa ngayon as compared before. During our first time to work together in Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw, talagang nangangapa kami. Now, mas loosened up kami although at first, medyo nagkailangan din cause we haven't worked for five years,” avers the talented artist who was so cool that day.

What are the changes they've noticed with each other at present?

“Actually, pareho pa rin, eh. Si Robin, intense actor pa rin. He still has that fire within him. I'm happy nga that he was named Best Actor by URIAN. He also seems to be really excited about this project. I've already worked with Direk Mark in my previous soap Forever In My Heart but with Binoe, it was his first time both with Direk and GMA.

“Lahat kami, excited for him. Kasi nga, first time niyang makakatrabaho ang grupong it. Magaan ang working atmosphere naming, very happy actually. The only hindrance is the weather. We're all just adjusting to it. Parating may typhoon and some get sick, like me. I have migraine attacks of late. It's good that they give me time to nap. Pag okay na uli ako, shoot na naman. There are little problems but otherwise, everything is running smoothly.”

On Robin's part, he admits that his admiration to his leading lady is stronger now.

“Totoo! Lalong tumindi! Masaya ako tsaka di nawawala yung pananabik araw-araw. Siyempre, nanghihinayang. Noon kasing unang pagtatambal naming, marami na akong asawa noon, eh. Tatlo. (smiles) Nagpigil sa damdamin.”

Interestingly, what are Regine's characteristics that he likes the most?

“Yung buong pagkatao niya. Mabuti siyang tao. Malambing siya at romantic,” he states.

What about their chemistry? Will it surpass what the viewers witness in their maiden screen outing?

“I think so! Well, because we know each other better now. Sinabi niya sa akin na doon sa Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw, mas hirap siya sa akin. Suplada raw ako, eh. Parang merong wall daw around me. But that's true! I am really like that. I am cautious. Mahirap naman kasi na bawat leading man mo, mai-in-love ka.

“Siyempre, when you're playing a role that is passionately in love, madadala mo yon, eh kasi ibinibigay sayo yung attention. And let's face it, Robin is like that. Kahit di uma-acting, bumobongga ang lola mo! So I had to be cautious, to protect myself. That's what he couldn't understand.

“But we're good friends. I think he knows my stand. Kung paano ako. At least, I'm sharing a little bit of myself now, wala nang gaanong wall. Yon nga, unti-unti na niya akong nakikilala,” the Songbird reveals.

What are their roles in ‘Til I Met You?

“I'm Luisa here, Robin plays Gabriel while Eddie Garcia is Don Manuel. Ang ganda kasi the story evolves around the three of us lang. Of course, there is a sub plot involving Jackie Rice and Marky Cielo but basically, the story is centered on the three major characters only which for me is okay dahil dito sa Philippines, sanay na sanay tayo sa movies na maraming sub plots. Ito, wala.

“My role? Actually, sa lahat ng na-portray ko, this is what I like best. Contradicting ang character ko rito, eh. She's actually a very strong person who led a hard life kaya she wanted to marry a rich man thinking it could ma her happy. Di ba ang daming ganon? Parang ang feeling mo, pag marami kang pera, wala ka nang problema.

“And then suddenly, I meet this person na dududa-duda sa akin pero type ko siya. And he is also falling in with me. That's where the conflict lies. Sa simula, my character is demure but when I'm with him, I became siga—that's my real self. But you'll see in the end that she also is a weak person, that she needs the help of other people too.”

And how's the experience of working with veteran acting stalwart Eddie Garcia?

“It's great! It's actually my first time to work with him. Parang sobra talaga akong na-starstruck. Alam mo yon? Parang feeling ko, I'm not yet worthy to be paired with him cause he is an icon, a great director, actor and is still a superstar until now. He has nothing to prove anymore yet he's so down-to-earth. Kami ni Binoe, natutuwa sa kanya cause he's like a father. Dami niyang kuwento about the past na nakaka-amaze. It's a joy to work with him and we're looking forward to working with him again in the future,” Regine discloses.

For Binoe, the title of the movie is very apt for the movie's plot.

“Kasi, puwede sa aming tatlo, eh. Basically, love triangle siya. Noong makilala ni Don Manuel si Luisa, nagbago ang buhay niya, naging masaya siya at napunan ang kakulanan. Si Luisa naman, noong ma-meet niya si Gabriel, na-in love siya rito at nagkaroon din ng pagbabago ang buhay niya. Yung character ko naman (Gabriel), wala siyang relasyong tumatagal hanggang makilala niya si Luisa. Maganda kasi yung istorya nung kanta, istorya naming tatlo.”

The two have only good words for their director Mark Reyes.

“Oh! Direk is very open to ideas and suggestions. I've worked with him various times na. He's one who collaborates with his actors. Ako kasi, medyo pakialamera pagdating sa characterization, eh. I really argue para mas makilala ko ang role. Direk and I talk about how to make my character more real and interesting. Nagdya-jam talaga kami,” shares the Songbird.

“Bilib ako kay Direk Mark. Mahusay. Sumasabay siya sa takbo ng panahon. Kumabaga, pang-2006 siya. Alam niya,” opines Robin.

As their parting shot, the two superstars entice the public to support their second screen outing.

“I hope they'll do watch it kasi, it's a love story na nakakakilig pero walang sabihan ng ‘I love you!' That's the exciting part, di ba? Yung walang nangyayari pero kinikilig ka. Iba rin ang chemistry naming ni Robin dito. And what we want to achieve is for the viewers to feel in love again after seeing the film and realize that happiness is not always dependent on material things,” points out Regine.

And Robin?

“Kumpletos recados ito. May pag-ibig, action at comedy. Masasabi ko na kung gusto mo ng isang mahusay na pelikula, ito yon!”

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